Heart Disease Awareness on Valentine’s Day
I know, it’s Valentine’s Day, and I’m posting about heart disease?!?! For all of my readers, know that I only share those things that I consider to be of value with you. As a woman, I am aware that a woman who suffers from a heart attack is more likely to die than a man. Science Daily featured a study last fall regarding the long wait times to seek help, to be treated, and the higher fatality rate amongst women compared to men suffering from heart attacks – read more, here. Fox News also reported on this phenomenon, here, chronicling the Journal of the American Medical Association’s findings.
Know the symptoms, and get treated (further description of symptoms, here):
- shortness of breath,
- pressure or pain in the lower chest or abdomen
- dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
- upper back pressure
- extreme fatigue.
It sounds like a cold or the flu, doesn’t it? Heart disease is the number 1 killer of women. You can read more about that at the American Heart Association.
Source: Science Daily, Heart.org, and Journal of the American Medical Association News Blog
Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, nor is this intended as medical advice. Take care of yourself! Please get regular physical exams, evaluate your risk factors, and establish a treatment protocol with your medical professional.
Such an important post! The signs are so hard to recognize because they are so similar to other things!
I didn’t know that this was the number one killer of women!! I just turned 42 and got my blood work done. It shows that my cholesterol is high so I must get exercising regularly to get my heart healthy.
Wow the symptoms could be easily missed.
Thank you for sharing this very important information!
Thanks for the update and reminder. Great info to have presented several times a year.
Thank you for providing this useful information. I think sometimes we look into physical concerns when it’s too late, so glad for this preventative measure!
Jenna
http://www.snymed.blogspot.ca
When I was researching for this blog posting, I was surprised at how differently the heart attack seemed to present in women. We have this notion of severe chest pain and pain down one arm, but to me it sounds like it would feel similar to the onset of a milder illness. I was really taken aback.
As a Paramedic I love seeing any articles that promote good health, including the heart, thanks so much for sharing!